Modern smartphones like the Xiaomi Mi 9 offer users a wide range of personalization options, including setting various restrictions for children. However, there are often situations where these restrictions become unnecessary or were set incorrectly and need to be removed. The deactivation process depends on whether the tool used to block is standard MIUI tools or third-party apps from Google.
It is important for Mi 9 owners to understand that removing the restrictions completely requires either access to an administrator account or complete resetting. In this article, we will look at all possible scenarios, from simple actions in the settings menu to radical measures to restore access to the system.
Before you start any manipulation, make sure that you do have the right to change the security settings of this device.Incorrect deletion of profiles can lead to the loss of important data or disruption of some system functions if they were configured in a specific way.
Determination of the type of control established
The first step should always be diagnostics. The Xiaomi Mi 9 can have two main types of limitations: the built-in Parental Control feature in the MIUI shell and the Google Family Link app. The type of software will determine the next algorithm.
If you have restrictions imposed through MIUI, you will see the appropriate items in the security menu or screen settings. In the case of Family Link, a password request from the parent's account will appear on the lock screen or when you try to install apps. Identifying the source of the lock is critical to choosing the right method of solving the problem.
Often users confuse carrier restrictions with system settings. Check if the Parental Control service is activated at the SIM level by contacting your carrier. System reset methods will not help if the blocking occurs on the provider's side.
It is worth noting that some antivirus programs also have time and access control features. Check the list of installed applications for security programs unknown to you that can block user actions.
Disabling built-in control in MIUI
The MIUI shell installed on the Xiaomi Mi 9 has its own restriction mechanism, so if you know the password or have access to your Mi Account, it’s easy to disable it through the system menu.
You need to move to Settings → Lock screen or security → Parental controls. Depending on the firmware version, the path may vary slightly. PIN-code.
Once the correct code is entered, the system will prompt you to confirm the shutdown of the function, and it is important that all previously set time limits and bans on running applications will be lifted instantly.
⚠️ Note: If you forget the password from the built-in control MIUI, There may not be a standard way to recover via email, in which case only a complete reset of the device, which will be discussed below, will help.
Sometimes the function can be hidden in the depths of the Second Space menu, check if the guest mode or the second profile is activated, where the restrictions apply, and switch between profiles through the user settings.
Removing Google Family Link
Google’s Family Link app is a more powerful tool deeply integrated into the Android system. On the Xiaomi Mi 9, it works as a system application with device administrator rights, making it difficult to remove without an access code.
To properly disable, the parent whose account is the manager must log into their Family Link settings on their device, select the child’s profile (your Mi 9) and click on “Manage Settings” → “Activity Tracking” → “Switch off.”
If there is no physical access to the parent’s phone, you can try to delete the app through the smartphone’s settings, but this will require administrator rights. Go to Settings → Passwords and Security → Privacy → Device Administrators.
| Action. | Requirement | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Disconnection via parent's phone | Parent's password | Complete removal of restrictions |
| Delete the application on Mi 9 | Unlocking code | 24-hour lockdown |
| Reset via Recovery | Physical access | Deletion of all data |
| Bypassing through Safe Mode | Knowledge of the model | Partial access |
If you try to remove the Family Link app directly from your child’s phone (Mi 9), the system will require you to enter your parent’s password. After three incorrect attempts or failure to enter, the device can be locked for 24 hours.
What happens when you delete Family Link without a password?
Using Safe Mode for Analysis
Safe Mode allows you to run the Xiaomi Mi 9 with third-party apps disabled, a useful diagnostic method: if restrictions are removed in this mode, then the blocking is carried out by a third-party application, not system services.
To enter Safe Mode on the Mi 9, you need to press the power button, and then hold the “Switch off” icon on the screen for a long time until the message appears about the transition to Safe Mode. After the reboot, all third-party blockers, including some versions of Family Link, may stop acting.
In this mode, you can try to remove the problem application through Settings → Applications. However, modern versions of Android and MIUI have learned to keep administrator rights even in safe mode for critical security applications.
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If the phone is working normally in Safe Mode, find an app with administrator privileges and disable them before removing them, which often allows you to bypass the lock without resetting.
Remember, Safe Mode is a temporary state, and when you exit it, all settings will return if the application has not been removed, and use that time to back up your important data.
The Radical Method: Full Reset (Hard Reset)
If the password is lost permanently and other methods fail, the only remaining option for the Xiaomi Mi 9 is a full factory reset, which will delete all data from the device, including photos, contacts and apps.
To perform the reset, turn off the smartphone completely. Then press the Volume Up and Power buttons simultaneously. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, continuing to hold the volume until the Recovery menu appears.
In the Recovery menu, you can navigate with volume buttons and choose with a power button. Choose a language, then go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data → Confirm. The process will take a few minutes.
⚠️ After resetting on Xiaomi Mi 9 will work protection FRP (Factory Reset Protection.You will need to enter a Google account that was synced to your phone before the reset.
This method is only effective if you remember data from your Google account, but if the phone was bought with your hands and someone else's Family Link account is on it, resetting will not unlock the device without the previous owner's involvement.
Mi and FRP account issues
Xiaomi’s ecosystem is closely linked to the Mi Cloud account, and if the device has enabled Find Device, you’ll need to enter your Mi Account password after the reset, a separate layer of protection that’s independent of Google.
Users often forget that parental controls could have been configured through Xiaomi cloud services. Check the status of the device on i.mi.com. If the device is listed as secure there, you can not remove the lock remotely without authorization.
FRP (Factory Reset Protection) is the standard Android theft protection, implemented very strictly on the Mi 9, and it is almost impossible to get around it in legal ways without knowing passwords, since it requires reflashing with changing system partitions, which is difficult for the average user.
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A complete reset solves the problem of forgotten passwords, but it creates a new challenge: logging into the original Google and Mi accounts, without which the phone will become a brick.
Prevention and access management
To avoid the need for complex unlock procedures in the future, it is recommended to properly configure profiles. Use guest mode for temporary transfer of the phone without setting permanent restrictions.
Check the list of applications with administrator rights regularly. This can be done in the Settings menu → Passwords and security → Privacy. Removing unknown administrators increases security and transparency of the system.
If a child is using the phone, negotiate a “digital code” and use built-in digital well-being features that allow for flexible customization of usage times rather than simply locking the device.